Brielle turns 8.

Brielle has been anxiously waiting to turn 8 because that meant she would get her ears pierced.  

She was so brave and so excited! 

The day finally came and we headed to Claire's.  

Two little pinches later and she had her ears pierced.  

Brielle got an American Girl doll for Christmas.  

She wanted an American Girl doll themed party and so I went to work!

Even though it is a lot of work to plan a party, I actually enjoy making all the decorations and putting everything together.  Of course, like I said about Braden's party, it is their reactions that make it all worth it.    

It was so difficult trying to narrow down the friends that Brielle wanted to invite.  

All of the little girls in her 1st grade class, church class and 

our little neighbor friends are the sweetest girls.  

It was hard to not invite everyone! So glad we did, I got to know some of them better and it was so fun to watch Brielle be such a good little friend to all of them.  

Brielle has so many good qualities.  One of my favorite ones is that she doesn't have a mean bone in her body.  She is generally a very kind little girl.  Scott and I always say that if there is a value we want to transfer to our children is to always try to be kind to those around them.

My friend Heidi decorated this cake.  She is so talented and I think it turned out so cute.  

Happy, happy 8th birthday to my sweet Brielle!

The dance party at the end was a hit! 

Call me Maybe was their favorite song and songs from Frozen.  

Even my mom was dancing!

So funny! 

Scott and I feel grateful to be Brielle's parents.  We are blessed to have a bright, confident, kind and beautiful daughter.  We can't thank our Heavenly Father enough every day to have Brielle as part of our family.  

Braden turns 7.

How is it that the days go by, weeks go by and the years go by so quickly? One of my all time favorite quotes, is by Elder Neal A. Maxwell.  He said, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity."  There are so many wonderful, amazing moments in the life I share with Mr. Braden, I wish I could put into a time capsule and relive so I never forget how special they were.  Mr. Braden has been part of our family now for 7 years.  On February 6th, we celebrated. I wish I could put into a time capsule the day he was born, how he would cuddle when he was a little tiny baby, his big chubby baby cheeks, the feeling I got when he would grab my face with his two tiny hands to get my attention, his always sincere way of saying 'I'm sorry' when gets in trouble, all of the times he tells me I'm beautiful, how he says, "how can you resist Brooke! She is so cute!", how he feels compassion for others who are different.  I wish I could encapsulate his laugh at every stage, he has the best laugh. There are too many moments, I love my interaction with Mr. Braden and I'm grateful he is part of our family.         

It is becoming tradition to go to Chick-fil-A on his birthday.  That is where he wanted to go for his special lunch and so we did.   He also wanted to go skiing.  Scott took both Brielle and Braden and they had a blast.  

The next day, he had a friend party.  It was a Lego themed party as he requested.  

He invited some of his favorite friends and we had a fun afternoon. 

It all seems so simple in pictures, but planning a party takes time and so much effort! 

But it is always worth it when I hear their happy reactions.  

Braden kept telling me, "you are the best mom ever!" 

That made it all worth it. 

We had some fun games and I have to admit that I was a little nervous to have all of these boys in my house, but they were all so well behaved and were happy with everything I had planned. 

Can't believe he's already 7!

Braden was such a good big brother and let his little sister be part of the party. 

She was in heaven and felt like she was such a big girl. 

Decapitated lego man! 

I survived!

Happy Birthday Mr. Braden!